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2 perish in Chikombedzi gas explosion

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2 perish in Chikombedzi gas explosion

Beverly Bizeki

Two people from Chikombedzi recently died from a gas explosion that occurred at the Business Centre on December 9, 2023 after a gas tank caught fire and exploded.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and the loss of life saying investigations were on going but the accused McGilbert Mafanele who is the gas shop owner as yet to be arrested for culpable homicide charges.
“I can confirm the death of two people who died after sustaining burns from a gas explosion at Chikombedzi Bussienss Centre in Chiredzi District and destroyed six shops.
The five were rushed to Chikombedzi Hospital and the deceased died, enroute to Masvingo Provincial Hospital, where they had been referred,” said Dehwa
Investigations are currently underway but the accused is yet to be arrested on culpable homicide,
said Dehwa.
Sources said on December 10, a leaking gas tank allegedly caught fire from a nearby fireplace and exploded and five people sustained serious burns from the explosion.
Melissa Mangalani Chauke (23) died at Ndundu around 1800 hours while Simbarashe Mufandarabwa died around the same time at Nyanda while they were being ferried to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The other three people who were injured from the explosion include juvenile and their names could not be established at the time of reporting.
Mafanele had gone to Malipati when the incident occurred.

It was not easy : Zanu PF’s Hwata

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It was not easy : Zanu PF’s Hwata

…as Chiwara concedes defeat, congratulates winner

Beverly Bizeki

The newly elected Zanu PF councilor for ward 2 Benson Hwata said his victory in the December 9 by-election was not a walk in the park considering the fact that it was an opposition stronghold and its leadership was determined to retain the seat.
Hwata defeated former councilor and Mayor Shan- tiel Chiwara with 27 votes af-
ter garnering 612 votes and Shantiel got 585 votes. The other two candidates, Frank Chirairo, a CCC member who contested as independent pol- led 143 votes while another CCC candidate, former Councilor Roki Kamuzonda got 90 votes.
Speaking to TellZim News, Hwata said though it was not easy, he was glad that he managed to pull through and will now work to fulfill his election promises to residents who entrusted him to lead.
“Our victory was not easy, my opponents who are from the opposition were also working and campaigning in the ward with their leadership so it was not an easy one. However, I sailed through and want to thank the residents for trusting me. I promise that I won’t let them down,” said Hwata
He attributed his win to the party support and being there for residents when there was need without looking at whether its election time or not.
“I think being with people and valuing them all the time helped me win the election. I have been in the ward way before and have been helping people in a number of ways not as a campaign tool but out of love for the people. So I think that is why they have decided to give me a chance to lead them.
“Now that I have been elected, I want to fulfill my promises chief among them being water provision to make sure residents get water especially in Runyararo West and improving drainage system,” said Hwata.
For the first time in 23 years, Zanu PF managed to win ward 2 of Masvingo City Council in the December 9 by elections with Hwata winning the seat after two unsuccessful attempts.
Hwata contested in 2013 and lost to Shantiel’s Father James Chiwara who went on to become deputy mayor before losing again to Shantiel in August 2023.
In her message to ward 2 citizens in one of the ward’s many WhatsApp platforms, Shantiel congratulated Hwata and called upon youngsters to get involved in civic education no matter which political party they belong to for a better understanding of their environment.
“Congratulations to those who made it. Let us help each other take our community to the next level. I call upon the youngsters to get involved in civic education no matter which movement you belong to so that we can all get a better understanding of our environment looking in to a better future for everyone.
“Involved or not involved it affects us at the end of each day. Hazvisi zvevanhu vakuru chete (it is not only for adults). I hope I served as an inspiration to a few of us to show that we can (participate in politics) as young people,” said Chiwara.

Gweru woman hit by train on railway line while on earphones

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Gweru woman hit by train on railway line while on earphones

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- A 28 year old Gweru woman was hit and killed by a train recently while walking along the railway line wearing earphones.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the sad incident which happened on Monday December 11, 2023 at about 1330hours and warned members of the public to avoid using gadgets that distract their attention.
“We appeal to avoid using gadgets that distract their attention to avoid such tragic incidents.” Said Mahoko.
Circumstances are that, Agatha Madokero of Riverside in Gweru was walking along the railway line when she was hit by a train and died on the spot.
Investigations into the incident indicate that she was putting on earphones which distracted her from hearing the sound leading to this tragic incident.

South Africa: where is ubuntu?

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South Africa: where is ubuntu?

In any polemic regarding the history of Africa, ubuntu / unhu or humanity becomes the centre of gravity. In military speak, the centre of gravity implies the source of strength or balance from which the force derives its freedom of action. From an Afrocentric perspective ubuntu is the source of Africans’ relationality, ubuntu becomes the axis on which human relations are built, ubuntu becomes the rallying point for popular participation, ubuntu becomes the glue that binds the communal self, ubuntu becomes the spirit of oneness, singleness of focus and fixity of purpose and the centre of gravity on which all human interactions are organized. Ubuntu is just the opposite of the intellectual movement of liberalism which essentialises and romanticizes individual freedoms at the expense of cultural rights that are enjoyed collectively. This writer has been moved by the physical, emotional, intellectual and social energies that have been summoned by South Africans through organisations such as Dudula (anti-migrant social group) over the years to treat black migrants in their country as if they are lesser beings. It is therefore the object of this opinion piece to interrogate the humanness of South Africans against a background of the stoning and setting on fire of two Zimbabweans in Diesploot, South Africa.
Studies suggest that South Africa is the most unequal country in the world with an economy that is still in the hands of a few whites and blacks. The economic morass in South Africa is not in anyway associated with the influx of black migrants from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique or Malawi, rather the complexification of the problems of inequality, poverty and unemployment are coming as a result of the intersection of gender, ethnicity, location, race and class that have pushed the everyday South Africans to the fringe of their society. Even if all immigrants were to be ejected from South Africa the problems of the everyday South Africans would still be there and they would still stick like white on rice. The hatred against immigrants by South Africans is not justifiable given the fact that globalization has introduced borderless communities. Human beings from time immemorial have migrated from one country to another. Migration is as old as the hills, if not as Moses of the Bible. These artificial boundaries should not be used as the basis for the killing black migrants. Arguably, no one owns any space under the sun, the geographic boundaries are socially defined for administrative purposes, otherwise the political leadership of spaces called countries should communicate, consult, collaborate and cooperate with one another to forge sound relations that promote bilateral and multilateral treaties on migration governance because human movement cannot be stopped.
South Africans should go back to basics in terms of principles of ubuntu that put a premium on the sacredness of human life. Human existence that is pegged on humanity or ubuntu is fearful of taking other people’s lives. The following quote from Richard Dawkins would help South Africans to appreciate that human beings cannot be defined and ruled according to where they have come from as their common denominator is that of being human beings,
National pride has evil consequences. Prefer pride in humanity. German pride gave us Hitler, American pride gave us Trump, British pride gave us Brexit. If you must have pride, be proud that Homo Sapiens could produce a Mandela, Shakespeare, Einstein, Beethoven.
The above quote reminds us that there is only one race under the sun which is the human race. The beingness of any person is not defined according to where the person has come from, but according to being a human being. Xenophobia will not turn around the economic fortunes of South Africa because the root cause of the socio-economic problems of South Africa has nothing to do with immigrants but everything to do with a privatized economy. It is often argued that in every situation there is nugget of gold. The nugget of gold for South Africa from immigrants is the beneficiation that is associated with knowledge and skills transfer, that is brain circulation in almost every sector of South Africa’s economy. The value addition of emigration is further seen in remittances and boosting of foreign currency reserves of countries of origin for the migrants. Human beings have been on the move since the time of Moses and to identify and lynch black migrants is a sign of lack of appreciation of the history of humankind. Research shows that human beings migrate for different reasons that may include reunification with family, career development, marriage, studies and employment. South Africans should appreciate that political, economic and social circumstances do not remain constant and to that effect there is a need to treat black migrants with respect and dignity because who knows what the future holds for South Africa.
Labour and capital movement are as natural as water is to fish. Labour and capital mobility will always be part and parcel of the history of humankind. It is important for South Africans to understand that any significant changes in the socio-economic complexion of their country would begin with the indigenization of their economy, having stimulus packages for the every day South Africans, creating micro finance for women, youths and rural folks, facilitating access, control and ownership over land for the black majority. Land is an economic asset that can be used as a transformative tool for the majority of South Africans. Politicians in South African should desist from setting the ordinary South Africans against black immigrants for cheap and ephemeral political gains. Rather, the South African politicians should initiate public policies that address racial and economic inequalities and that also put a premium on redistributive justice.
On a parting note, the South African education system should be rejigged to underscore ethos of diversity and inclusivity (citizenship education) right from the level of Early Childhood Development. If an education system prizes diversity and inclusivity it will inculcate in learners a spirit of love and respect for humanity.

8 marooned in Tugwi River, one still missing

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8 marooned in Tugwi River, one still missing

Beverly Bizeki

Two groups of people were marooned on islands in Tugwi River after the river was flooded from the heavy rains received this week and seven were rescued but one 12 year old girl is still missing.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the developments and said a search party was still looking for the missing girl.
“All of the people who had been trapped on two islands along the Tugwi river have been rescued except one female aged 12 and people are still looking for her,” said Dhewa.
It is alleged that on the given day at around 1500 hours, Revai Zivuku (49), Chipo Madzatsa (26), Tagwirei Madovi (45), Tariro Chitapa (29), Estina Kurauone (37), Pauline Ndlovu, Jesca Mudzingwa and a 12-year-old girl all from Village 4 in Mukosi settlements crossed two rivers Tugwi and Musongwezi going to Maringire and while on their way back after crossing Tugwi they found Musogwezi flooded.
The group decided to go back to Maringire where they were coming from to seek refuge and whilst they were halfway crossing Tugwi, water levels increased and they were swept away by the water.
Madzatsa, Madovi and Chitapa were swept away to the shores of the river alive and they managed to seek help for the other people that had remained in the water. On the other hand, Zivuku Kurauone and Ndlovu were thrown on an island on the same river and at around 1530 hours of the same day Genius Nyika from Maringire Village saw and reported the matter.
The sub aqua unit was informed and the police rescued Kurauone, Zivuku and Ndlovu but the 12 year old was not found.
On the same day at around 1430 hours, Josphat Govo (40) and Angela Munyaka (29) from Gandashaka Village Headman Masunda in Chivi were crossing Tugwi River and water levels increased while they were on the midst of making their way out of the river.
The two were swept away and managed to get to an island on the river. Tererai Dhinara saw the two people marooned on the island and informed the police who watched ashore before the arrival of experts.
At around 0600hours the following day the two were rescued by other villagers and the police.

Corruption hindering development– Mudha Ncube

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Corruption hindering development– Mudha Ncube

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU – While there is ongoing debate on the effects of both corruption and sanctions on the Zimbabwean economy, a cabinet minister has confirmed that the economic meltdown is largely attributed to rampant corruption.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands Province, Owen Ncube, recently said that the fight against corruption will assure socio-economic development in Zimbabwe, failure to which the economic crisis in the country will persist.
Ncube was speaking during the International Anti-Corruption Day commemorations held in Gweru where he said government was committed to curb corruption which is prevalent in the whole of Africa.
“Corruption is a huge barricade to sustainable socio-economic development. It is estimated by the United Nations that the world loses around USD$3, 6 trillion from corruption while developing countries lose about USD$1, 26 trillion annually.
“The Second Republic is committed to fight corruption and has come up with economic blue prints aimed at improving economic governance in a bid to promote sustainable economic growth and alleviate poverty by attaining an Upper Middle Income Economy before 2030.
“Corruption is also a crime that is against the law of Zimbabwe and everyone is encouraged not to practice corruption,” said Ncube.
He went on to say Zimbabwe was a signatory of the SADC protocol against corruption and the African Union Convention on preventing and combating corruption which was signed on 14 August 2001 and in 11 July 2003 respectively.
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), which ironically has been accused as one of the most corrupt institutions in the country, Deputy Director for Loss Control, Tawanda Manyika said as an institution ZIMRA was working in complementing government efforts in fighting corruption.
“As ZIMRA we are doing our best on serving the nation in line with complementing government efforts. Traditionally our job was to collect revenue but we were then empowered additionally as we now watch over illegal entry of goods.
“So remember our job is to collect revenue on time and in full as we are supporting government initiatives in line with the laws of the country,” said Manyika.
Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust ( ZWACT) Chairperson, Sandra Matendere said, women were also falling victims to corruption and legal mechanism were need to protect women from falling prey to corrupt tendencies.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), mandated to fight corruption by the Zimbabwean constitution has in 2023 received 129 cases to date, with a bulk of them involving abuse of office.
Among these are also those that involve embezzlement of public resources, traditional leaders illegally selling communal land and fraud.
The Office of the Auditor General has also unearthed massive corruption in parastatals, local authorities as well as government departments.

Man kills in-law with one blow at beer binge

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Man kills in-law with one blow at beer binge

Beverly Bizeki

Just a one-fist blow has landed a Gutu brother-in-law in trouble after his in-law fell down and died on the spot after a small altercation at Chihambakwe Business Centre in Gutu on December 8, 2023.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the death of one Aphinos Museka (59) from Mutyanda Village, Chief Makore Gutu, and urged members of the public to desist from using violence when solving issues.
“I confirm the death of Aphinos, who died after having a fight with his brother-in-law. We urge members of the public to desist from using violence in solving issues,” said Dhewa.
It is alleged that on the fateful day Aphinos was with his younger brother Sam Museka, aged 49, at the said business centre where they met Collen Mawere from Mupako Village, Chief Makore in Gutu, drinking beer.
Aphinos confronted Mawere on why he was buying beer while not taking care of his children, and an altercation ensued between the two. The now deceased pushed around the accused person, and his brother Sam also joined in the fight.
Aphinos went on to hit Mawere with a clenched fist on the head, and the accused retaliated with a fist blow to the face. Aphinos fell hard on the surface on his back and died on the spot. The accused also hit Sam once, and he fell down, although he managed to wake and fled the scene.
Sam reported the matter to the police, who attended the scene at around 22:00 hours and found his body in a pool of blood with a cut on the occiput.

Ndarama High learners scoop 3 continental awards

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Ndarama High learners scoop 3 continental awards

Beverly Bizeki

Ndarama High School, one of the best day schools in Masvingo and beyond, raised the country’s flag high after its learners scooped three Junior Achievement Africa (JA) Awards in Rwanda recently.

The team of three, which exhibited with their company called Mobile Intelligence Technologies at the continental arena walked home with a cash prize of US$1000 after bagging three awards namely the Best Company, Global Possibilities and the Best Application of Project Management Award and will represent Africa at the international competitions in Qatar.

The company’s finance director Tapiwa Chuma said they were thrilled that their company which started its journey early this year was recognized at such a high profile award ceremony having won the provincial and national competitions.

“The journey of our company began early this year and it began with a survey when we attended a seminar that was hosted by JA Zimbabwe. During the seminar we were taught how to run student led companies after which we got the idea to create MILab which went on to win the provincial competitions as well as the national competitions in Harare.

“In November thereafter we went to represent Zimbabwe at the regional competitions in Kigali Rwanda and we scooped two signature awards, the Global Possibilities Award funded by Fedex and Tablets and the Best Application of Project Management funded by Project Management Institute and the main award that was the company of the year award and we received a cash prize of US$1000 and a ticket to represent Africa in Qatar,” said Chuma.

The Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anesu Ruzive said the company was created to break global challenges that children in schools are facing in learning science particularly accessing laboratories.

“The company comprises of young ambitious learners who have come together and created a company which strives to solve emerging global challenges in the education through cutting edge softwares that break barriers created by classroom settings. We discovered that local schools and those abroad are struggling to produce a conducive environment for students to carry out Science experiments so we are trying to break socio economic status, disability, location, digital divide, gender and race barriers.

“To break these barriers we have created an application called Mobile Intelligence Laboratory (MILab) a platform where learners can carry out Science experiments be it Physics, Chemistry or Biology. The application comes with packages such as a GIS laboratory, a 3D driving and aviation simulation and a career guidance section where a learner gets to learn more about the career world,” said Ruzive.

He said the company, which is registered, has 32 shareholders and 10 workers, is facing challenges in that all the shareholders are learners and sometimes find it difficult to balance between social life, school work and company work.

“We are giving the company our best shot but because it comprises of students the challenge sometimes becomes that we cannot actually balance between social life, creation, running this company and also our education, so to counter this we are using the template side management of this project, which is another challenge altogether.

“We look forward to working with the Ministry of Education and schools not individuals hoping that it will be added to the curriculum since it is guided by IGCS and ZIMSEC. So for the further development of the application there is need for sponsorship.

“We are having a challenge as full time learners in marketing and publicizing the application and the company and basically this is the main reason why you find that as a company we have not yet reached a spectrum of selling the application to other schools in rural areas and outside Masvingo,” said Ruzive.

The Production Manager, Panashe Dzinavatonga said the application was meant to ensure inclusivity as it works with 15 languages and can work without internet connection for the benefit of those in remote areas.

“MILab focuses mainly on Science students in the ZIMSEC and IGCS curriculum and it comprises of 15 languages including French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese and English. MILab works as an offline application because we want to ensure inclusivity and accommodate those with network challenges so once it is installed you can use it anywhere,” said Dzinavatonga.

Ndarama School Head Oddy Matongo said the achievement was an honor to the school and urged the business community to support the learners in furthering their aspirations.

“I am more than happy for what my learners have done particularly winning in Rwanda. We are very blessed as an urban community that a government school has also done this that they have conquered Africa and Africa is now at Ndarama representing Masvingo province and the nation at large; that is an honor even in my life and in my educational career. We hope as they continue with their journey there are also going to bring the global trophy home. I hope the business community is going to assist my learners so that they can further their aspirations” said Matongo.

HIV+ man rapes blood sister (7) for rituals

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HIV+ man rapes blood sister (7) for rituals

Beverly Bizeki

In one of the most gruesome ritualistic acts, a 20 year old HIV positive man from Chief Makore area in Gutu raped his seven year old sister as per instruction by a traditional healer he had consulted for riches.
The rapist earned himself an effective 16-year jail term after four of the 20 year sentence were suspended for raping his seven-year-old sister who is in ECD B, in his quest for riches following the dictates of a traditional healer.
In passing his judgement on December 14, 2023 Masvingo Regional Magistrate Bishard Chineka said the accused person (name withheld to protect victim) deserved years in jail but because he was a first-time offender, pleaded guilty and the fact that the complainant, neither did she contract HIV from the accused nor fall pregnant, he was suspending four years.
Chineka also said the accused person deserved the full wrath of the law because rape is a serious offense on its own and in his case, it was worse because he raped his own sister knowing he was HIV positive and exposed her to the incurable disease all for his quest for riches.
He further said accused person was youthful but already had a habit of going to traditional healers showing that he does not want to work hard but rather opted for unorthodox means to get a soft life which is why he saw it fit to abuse his sister and get rich.
It was the state case as presented by Prosecutor Innocent Mudzingwa that on December 1 at around 1400 hours the accused person arrived home and asked his sister to escort him to their aunt’s house and she agreed.
While on their way back home the accused used a mountain path, claimed to be sick and asked to rest for a while. While they were taking a break from the walking, the accused raped the complainant, but while in the act, a passerby (name withheld) arrived and the accused ran away.
The passerby latter informed the two’s father who asked the girl and she confirmed that she had indeed been raped, which led to the father reporting the matter to the police on December 7.
The accused told the court that he had consulted a witch doctor to seek fortunes and he was shown his family members on a mirror and was asked to sleep with her sister.
He also pleaded with the court to be lenient with him saying he had left his medication at home as he was on HIV treatment.
Asked why he consulted witchdoctors at his age and to the extent of agreeing to rape his sister, the accused blamed his father whom he said was not supportive whenever he asked for help.
The accused went on to say he sold two scotch carts of firewood for US$8 to his uncle and used the money to visit the witchdoctor.
The state argued that accused person deserved the full wrath of the law because sleeping with his sister was an abomination and he had abused the complainant’s youth for his benefit betraying the trust she had in him as her brother.
It further argued that it was a carefully planned, choreographed and well meditated move and would be in the public’s interest to have accused getting a lengthy punishment to deter would-be offenders.

Voter apathy, double candidates cost CCC in Masvingo

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Voter apathy, double candidates cost CCC in Masvingo

TellZim Reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) lost Masvingo Municipality ward 2 seat to Zanu PF in the just ended by-election mainly to voter apathy coupled with double candidate in the same ward after 2199 voters who voted in the same ward in August failed to turn up for the poll.
In August 23 election, a total of 3629 valid votes were recorded but barely four months later, only 1430 people voted putting CCC and its candidate Shantiel Chiwara at a disadvantage.
Some party senior members said they attributed the loss to voter apathy which they claimed was caused by the media, courts and the Zimbabwe Electoral commission which told people that recalled candidates were not going to contest.
One senior member Mandi Matutu said ZEC and the public media were to blame since they said the recalled candidates were not going to contest and that demoralized people that’s why there was low voter turnout.
“The public media and ZEC are to blame, they told people that those who were recalled were not going to contest so people were discouraged and our efforts to mobilize hit a snag and a few people voted.
Another challenge was that one of the candidates told people that it was pointless to vote for Shantiel Chiwara as he had the power to influence her second recall,” said Matutu
He went on to say they were also affected by double candidate in name where the other candidate got 90 votes which could have made a difference.
“We had a double candidate, thats another factor, though it was double candidate in name only, it costed us. Our official candidate was Chiwara but another candidate (Roki Kamuzonda) used unorthodox means to get on the ballot.
We also had another one who stood as independent, he was one of us up to the August 23 elections. So since people were told that Chiwara could be recalled, some voted for those two,” said Matutu
Another senior member said they had mobilized well but people were demoralized by the fact that their favourite candidate was not on the ballot.
“We had 100 focal point persons and had agreed that each was going to mobilize 10 voters which means we had 1000 voters already. However, on the voting day, we called our focal persons to confirm and most of them said they could not go to vote saying it was a waste of time.
I even asked one to at least mobilize his people to go and vote but he gave me their numbers and said I could call them on my own and was left stranded. I called other leaders who told me they were getting similar responses like people had been coached,” said the senior member.
Another one who also refused to be named said Farai Chinobva was behind the voter apathy after he attacked those who failed to come for the campaign launch saying they belonged to Sengezo Tshabangu faction.
“Chinobva contributed to Chiwara’s loss as he angered people, councilors and other leaders with his utterances when he said those who failed to attend the launch belonged to Tshabangu faction. That demoralized many people who retreated to back benches and watched from afar,” said the source.
Effort to get a comment from Chinobva were futile by time of writing as his cell went unanswered several times.
However, he had earlier told TellZim News that what he meant when he said those who did not attend the launch were Tshabangu people was that those who wanted to join Tshabangu were free to do so.
“Failure by some councilors to attend the launch was their individual choices, some even send apologies that they had gone for funeral, church and other commitments, so we don’t have any problems with our councilors, however, what I meant that day was that those who want to join Tshabangu were free to do so,” said Chinoba
The election came about after the recall of Shantiel Chiwara who broke record of being the youngest female Mayor in Masvingo and the youngest female Councilor in Zimbabwe
Zanu PF’s Benson Hwata defeated Chiwara with 37 votes having garnered 612 votes and Chiwara got 585 votes.
The other two candidates, Frank Chirairo, a CCC member who contested as independent polled 143 votes while another CCC candidate and former Councilor Kamuzonda got 90 votes.
In August, Chiwara defeated Hwata with 983 votes having polled 2287 with Hwata getting 1304. Anderson Paradza got 21 votes and Charity Shoko of DUZ getting only 17 votes.

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